Therapeutic effect of yinchenhao decoction on cholelithiasis via mucin in the gallbladder and intestine.

Cholelithiasis is a common and frequently occurring disease worldwide that belongs to the category of jaundice in traditional Chinese medicine. Yinchenhao decoction (YD) consists of Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis, and Rheum palmatum L., and is traditionally used to treat jaundice, which has a significant therapeutic effect on cholelithiasis. Our study aimed to investigate the pathological mechanism of cholelithiasis and the therapeutic mechanism of YD via mucin in the gallbladder and intestine. YD was prepared and analyzed using HPLC. The supersaturation stability experiment was designed by the solvent-shift method. The cell transport experiment was conducted by coculture monolayers. The animal experiment was performed using a cholelithiasis model with a high-cholesterol diet. The related indicators were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer, PCR, western blot, or ELISA. Statistics were analyzed using χ2-tests and t-tests. As the results, in cholelithiasis, MUC5AC highly expressed in the gallbladder shortened cholesterol supersaturation and promoted cholesterol crystallization via the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway; MUC2 highly expressed in the small intestine prolonged cholesterol supersaturation and promoted cholesterol absorption via the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway. YD inhibited mucin expression in the gallbladder and intestine in a concentration-dependent manner for cholelithiasis treatment by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway, which was attributed to the active components, including chlorogenic acid, geniposide, and rhein.

THE USE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL AND LABORATORY DATA IN THE CHOICE OF EMPIRICAL ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - THE ROLE OF LOCAL ANTIBIOGRAMS.

Antibiotic therapy is indicated during acute cholecystitis. However, in the treatment of uncomplicated cholelithiasis, prophylactic use of antibiotics is controversial. Microbiological and laboratory data are the basis for the choice of antibiotic treatment. However, monitoring and updating local antibiograms is important because they ensure effective therapy in the given clinical environment. The study included 110 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, divided into the group of uncomplicated cholelithiasis (n=60) and the group of acute cholecystitis (n=50). Preoperative data included age, sex, body mass index, leukocytes, C-reactive protein, and ultrasound examination. Bile samples for bacteriological testing were obtained under aseptic conditions during the surgery. Cultures were evaluated for aerobic, anaerobic and fungal organisms using routine tests. After the surgery, gallbladder specimens were sent for histopathological examination. In the group of uncomplicated cholelithiasis, 6/60 positive samples were found, and in the group of acute cholecystitis, there were 25/50 positive microbiological findings. Citrobacter sp. and Enterococcus faecalis predominated in the group of uncomplicated cholelithiasis, and Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter sp. in the group of acute cholecystitis. Antibiotics were administered to 49/50 patients with acute cholecystitis and to 32/60 patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis. Cefazolin was the most frequently used antibiotic and also the most resistant antibiotic. To conclude, the administration of antibiotics in elective patients is not justified. The results of this study indicate that third-generation cephalosporin or ciprofloxacin + metronidazole should be administered in mild and moderate acute cholecystitis, and fourth-generation cephalosporin + metronidazole in severe acute cholecystitis in this local setting. The appropriate use of antibiotic agents is crucial and should be integrated into good clinical practice and standards of care.

Cholesterol lowering effect in the gall bladder of dogs by a standardized infusion of Herniaria hirsuta L.

ETNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Infusions of Herniaria hirsuta L., Herniaria glabra L. and Herniaria fontanesii J.Gay are well known in Moroccon folk medicine for the treatment of biliary dyskinesia, (uro)lithiasis or as a diuretic. Herniariae Herba which can contain H. glabra and H. hirsuta is known in Europe as an urological drug. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the efficacy of a standardized infusion of Herniaria hirsuta against choleltihiasis, and evaluation of its genotoxicity. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An analytical HPLC-UV method to quantify flavonoids and saponins present in the extract of H. hirsuta was developed and validated. An in vivo experiment to evaluate the cholesterol lowering effect of a infusion of H. hirsuta in the gall bladder of dogs was carried out. Dogs were divided into 3 groups i.e. control dogs (CG), dogs treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (2×7.35mg/kg body weight/day) and dogs treated with the standardized infusion (HG) (2×48.5mg/kg body weight/day). Dogs were fed a fatty diet during 120 days after which a diet without additional fat was introduced till day 180. Treatment started 30 days after introduction of the fatty diet and lasted till the end of the experiment. A bile and blood sample of each dog was collected every 30 days, after which the concentration of cholesterol was determined. An Ames test was performed according to the OECD-guidelines. RESULTS: The validated HPLC-UV method showed a linear calibration model and an acceptable precision for the total flavonoid content (total content 4.51%) as well as the total saponin content (12.74%). The in vivo experiments already showed a minor difference for bile cholesterol between CG and HG after 30 days of treatment with the infusion, and the difference was more pronounced after 90 days of treatment. Even 30 days after discontinuation of the cholesterol-rich diet a significant difference remained between CG and HG. There was no statistically significant difference in blood cholesterol. The Ames test showed that the infusion of H. hirsuta could be considered as being free from genotoxic risks. CONCLUSION: A method for the standardization of a infusion of Herniaria hirsuta was developed and validated. Prolonged use of this standardized H. hirsuta extract resulted in a cholesterol-lowering effect in the bile of dogs. Since this pharmacological effect prevents the formation of gallstones and can contribute to solving existing gallstones, a standardized infusion of H. hirsuta may have a positive effect in the treatment of gallstones in human patients.

Research on choleretic effect of menthol, menthone, pluegone, isomenthone, and limonene in DanShu capsule.

Danshu capsule (DSC) is a medicinal compound in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is commonly used for the treatment of acute & chronic cholecystitis as well as choleithiasis. To study its choleretic effect, healthy rats were randomly divided into DSC high (DSCH, 900mg/kg), medium (DSCM, 450mg/kg), and low (DSCL, 225mg/kg) group, Xiaoyan Lidan tablet (XYLDT, 750mg/kg), and saline group. The bile was collected for 1h after 20-minute stabilization as the base level, and at 1h, 2h, 3h, and 4h after drug administration, respectively. Bile volume, total cholesterol, and total bile acid were measured at each time point. The results revealed that DSC significantly stimulated bile secretion, decreased total cholesterol level and increased total bile acid level. Therefore, it had choleretic effects. To identify the active components contributing to its choleretic effects, five major constituents which are menthol (39.33mg/kg), menthone (18.02mg/kg), isomenthone (8.18mg/kg), pluegone (3.31mg/kg), and limonene (4.39mg/kg) were tested on our rat model. The results showed that menthol and limonene could promote bile secretion when compared to DSC treatment (p > 0.05); Menthol, menthol and limonene could significantly decrease total cholesterol level (p<0.05 or p<0.01) as well as increase total bile acid level (p<0.05 or p<0.01); Isomenthone, as a isomer of menthone, existed slightly choleretic effects; Pluegone had no obvious role in bile acid efflux. These findings indicated that the choleretic effects of DSC may be attributed mainly to its three major constituents: menthol, menthone and limonene.

Chinese medicinal herbs for cholelithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Cholelithiasis is a common disease of the biliary tract. Chinese medicinal herbs are being used widely as an alternative treatment in people with cholelithiasis, but their beneficial or harmful effects have not been assessed systematically. OBJECTIVES: To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of Chinese medicinal herbs in people with cholelithiasis. SEARCH METHODS: We conducted searches in the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Chinese Medicine Conference Disc, and Chinese Bio-Medicine Disc to January 2013. We handsearched four Chinese journals. No language or year of publication restrictions were applied. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised clinical trials studying Chinese medicinal herbs for treatment of cholelithiasis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors (SJ, TG) independently extracted data. For dichotomous data, we estimated the risk ratio (RR), and for continuous data, we calculated the mean difference. We also calculated 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: Eleven randomised trials with 1205 participants with asymptomatic or mild-to-moderate cholelithiasis were included. None of the randomised clinical trials compared a single Chinese medicinal herb with a Western medicine or with surgery. No placebo-controlled trials were identified. In the trials comparing one Chinese herbal medicine (Gandanxiaoshi tablet) versus another (Aihuodantong tablet), there was no significant difference in the improvement of upper abdominal pain after the end of treatment (RR 1.21; 95% CI 0.71 to 2.05), and the heterogeneity among trials was not substantial. No other outcomes could be assessed. The remaining trials of Chinese medicinal herbs (Qingdan capsule, Danshu capsule, Paishi capsule, Rongdanpaishi capsule), did not offer specific data on symptoms, signs, or change in gallstones that would permit assessment of significant differences in curative effects between the treatment and control groups. No serious adverse events were reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review reveals no strong evidence that the analysed Chinese medicinal herbs have any beneficial effects on asymptomatic or mild-to-moderate cholelithiasis. Definitive conclusions will require much better designed randomised trials to reduce risk of bias and allow detailed assessment of clinical outcomes.

[Comparative evaluation of various methods of conservative therapy of early stage of cholelithiasis].

UNLABELLED: THE AIM OF INVESTIGATION: To explore the possibilities of use of conservative therapy in the early stage of cholelithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the treatment of patients with early stage of gallstone disease in 103 patients was used mineral water Uvinskaya, in 96--Ursosan and in 118--Ursosan combined with mineral water Uvinskaya. RESULTS: The comparative evaluation of different variants of therapy showed that combined use of Ursosan and mineral water Uvinsky was the most effective to eliminate the clinical symptoms of the disease and reduce the lithogenic properties of bile.

[Gluttony and penance--laxatives and 'liver stones']. / Gulzigheid en Boete. Laxatiekuren en 'leverstenen'.

Gluttony is not only a mortal sin, it is also an important cause of medical problems. After sinning a penance must be paid and for this mortal sin the most obvious penance is laxation. Alternative medicine provides help: numerous types of laxative that claim to have positive effects on mental health, detoxification and aid in weight loss are to be found on the internet. The most surprising claim is that laxatives expel gall stones. These 'liver-cleansing' treatments result in the excretion of soft, stone-like structures in the faeces which may be seen by patients as being gall stones. Such 'liver stones' have been described in the literature and it is understood that they develop from the olive oil that is taken with the course of laxatives. That passing such stones is not associated with a reduction in gall stones is hardly surprising. Although laxation has been regarded as beneficial since ancient times, it is not effective in removing gall stones.

[Experience with the use of ozone for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis].

Comparative data are presented illustrating efficiency of the treatment of patients with chronic viral hepatitis by standard therapeutic methods and basal therapy combined with ozone therapy. Patients treated with the use of ozone exhibited better biochemical, virological, and functional characteristics compared with their counterparts managed by standard methods. The results of the study suggest a higher efficiency of combined therapy and reduced risk of development of cholelithiasis.

[Determination of trace elements in Mongolian medicine Susi-12 curing cholecystitis and gallstone disease by ICP-AES].

Trace elements in Mongolian medicine Susi-12 for cholecystitis and gallstones were analyzed in order to discuss the relation between Susi-12's drug action and the trace elements. The analysis was carried out using the pressure seal microwave digestion and inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). It was found that the medicine contained great amount of trace elements, especially human-body-needed trace elements, such as Ca, Al, Mg, Fe, Sr, Mn, Zn, Cu etc., whereas heavy metals are very little, e.g. the contents of Pb, Cb, As etc are below the country's limit. The recoveries of standard addition are in the range of 94.63%-106.40%. The relative standard deviation RSD< or =3.35%, and detection limit is < or =0.009 mg x L(-1). It is concluded that Mongolian medicine Susi-12 can effectively control and cure cholecystitis and gallstones, and the effective rate reaches 91.2% to 100%. So the trace elements in Susi-12 must have a close connection with the drug action.

[Treatment of severe acute biliary pancreatitis in the elderly by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) on severe acute biliary pancreatitis (SABP), and to discuss the opportunity of operation. METHODS: The hospitalization duration, incidence of complications, operation transmitting rate and mortality were analyzed in 96 senile SABP patients (Group A) treated by ICWM, and 32 senile SABP patients treated by conventional Western medicine, they were hospitalized from January 2000 to December 2007. RESULTS: (1) The average hospitalization duration in Group A and B was 28.2 +/- 11.3 days and 32.7 +/- 14.3 days respectively, showing insignificant difference between them (P>0.05); (2) The early stage incidence of complications being 29.2% (28/96) in Group A and 34.4% (11/32) in Group B, no significant difference between groups was shown, but a significant difference did show at the late stage, 36.5% (35/96) vs 53.1% (17/32), the incidence in Group A was lower significantly (P<0.05). (3) The two groups were not different in operation transmitting rate 36.4% (35/96) vs 43.8% (14/32), P>0.05. (4) The mortality in Group A, 21.9% (21/96) was lower than that in Group B, 37.5% (12/32), P <0.05. CONCLUSION: ICWM has good effect in treating SABP, and the opportunity of operation transmitting should be decided according to whether there obstruction of biliary tract exists or not.

[Using simvastatin in combination with chophytol at early stages of cholelithiasis in elderly patients].

In the treatment of 78 elderly patients with the gallstone disease were used chophytol and vasilip. To estimate the efficiency of treatment we used modern laboratory-instrumental, ultrasonic and biochemical methods of examinations. The examinations of indexs of fat exchange in bile and blood showed the communication of theirs disturbances. The application of chophytol and vasilip in the treatment of the first stage of gallstone disease is prove the positive changes of clinical symptoms of illness and lead to improvement of liver functional condition and biochemical composition of bile. These changes are cause to decrease of risk of formation the gallstones.

Treatment of cholelithiasis by acupuncture and oral decoction.

Thirty-six cases of cholelithiasis were treated by acupuncture at the Back-Shu and Front-Mu points plus oral decoction. The total effective rate was 97.2%, and the cured plus markedly effective rate was 83.3%, which were much better than those of 83.3% and 52.8% in the control group of 36 cases treated with oral decoction alone. The statistical differences between the two groups were respectively P < 0.05 and P < 0.01.

[Study on the cholelitholytic effect and safety of the preparation of Chinese medicine compound].

OBJECTIVE: To study the cholelitholytic effect and safety of the preparation of Chinese medicine compound. METHOD: Experiments were performed to study the efficacy of gallstones dissolution of the preparation of Chinese medicine compound in vitro and in vivo. The toxicity was studied by pathological and blood biochemical changes. RESULT: The preparation of Chinese medicine compound dissolved cholesterol and mixing gallstones in 7 days in vitro and in vivo, no influence on the blood biochemistry and the other organs of the rabbits. CONCLUSION: The preparation of Chinese medicine compound is effective and safe for treatment of chololithiasis.

[Characteristics of immune homeostasis in patients with cholelithiasis complicated by hepatitis and cholangitis].

The most distinctive and typical complications of cholelithiasis are cholangitis and hepatitis. The article presents an analysis of peculiarities of immune homeostasis in 41 patients with cholelithiasis complicated by hepatitis and cholangitis before and after surgical treatment and with the use of antihomotoxicologic and homeopathic medications.

[Clinical study of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction in treating severe acute biliary pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effects of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (CQCQD) in treating severe acute biliary pancreatitis. METHODS: Ninety patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis were treated with CQCQD, and they were divided into two groups: early-treated group (54 patients treated with CQCQD within 3 days after the onset of severe acute biliary pancreatitis) and late-treated group (36 patients treated with CQCQD between 3 and 7 days after the onset of severe acute biliary pancreatitis). The complication incidence rate, operation rate, mortality rate and hospitalization period were examined. RESULTS: The incidence rates of encephalopathy, infection and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were lower in the early-treated group than those in the late-treated group (P<0.05). The hospitalization periods of the early- and late-treated groups were (24.9+/-18.4) days and (51.6+/-45.9) days respectively (P<0.05). The general mortality rate was 14.4%. The mortality rate of the early-treated group (7.4%) was significantly lower as compared with that of the late-treated group (25.0%) (P<0.05). The operation rate of the early-treated group (11.1%) was also significantly lower as compared with that of the late-treated group (27.8%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treating severe acute biliary pancreatitis with CQCQD in early stage may reduce the complication incidence rate, shorten the hospitalization period, and decrease the operation rate and mortality rate.

[Prevention and treatment of cholelithiasis by traditional Chinese medicine].

Cholelithiasis is one of the clinically common and frequently encountered diseases. In this paper, the Chinese Meteria Medica and prescriptions utilized to treat cholelithasis were discussed in four aspects. In addition, we discussed the clinical effect and mechanism of actions of these drugs in order to provide some reference for future drug development in this area.

[Basis for the use of a new galena-based substance from plants for prevention and treatment of cholelithic disease]. / Obosnovanie primeneniia novoi galenovoi fitokompozitsii dlia profilaktiki i lecheniia zhelchnokamennoi bolezni.

With the purpose of prevention and treatment of cholelithic disease, a new galena-based phytocomposition having the choleritic, cholekinetic, spasmolytic and hypocholesterolemic effects at the same time was administered to patients along with lithotripsy. Clinical manifestations of cholecystitis disappeared after a daily intake of the phytocomposition during 30 days in 96 patients out of 418 people having the diagnosis of cholelithic disease and high initial concentrations of?-lipoproteins and cholesterol in the blood serum. The level of lipids dropped reliably, and it became much easier to use the lithotripsy method. Due to the decrease of bile viscosity, it was possible to note easier elimination of fragments from the gallbladder. During the monotherapy with the galena-based phytocomposition, full litholisis of single (up to 30 mm) or multiple (up to 50% of the gallbladder volume) calculi was determined in seven patients out of 47 (17%) during the period from two to six months.

Gall bladder dysmotility: a risk factor for gall stone formation in hypertriglyceridaemia and reversal on triglyceride lowering therapy by bezafibrate and fish oil.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to unravel the mechanisms responsible for the increased risk of gall stone disease in hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) and to compare the effects of triglyceride lowering therapy by bezafibrate and fish oil on determinants of cholelithiasis (biliary lipid composition and gall bladder motility) in HTG patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Gall bladder motility (ultrasonography) was studied postprandially and during infusion of cholecystokinin (CCK). Determinants of cholelithiasis and serum lipids were compared between nine HTG patients and 10 age, sex, and body mass index matched normolipidaemic controls. The effects of bezafibrate and fish oil in HTG patients were studied in a randomised cross over trial. RESULTS: HTG patients showed 14-fold higher serum triglyceride (TG) levels than controls. Biliary lipid composition, fasting gall bladder volumes, and CCK levels did not differ between HTG patients and controls. Gall bladder emptying was reduced in HTG patients compared with controls during CCK infusion (-22%) as well as in response to a meal (-37%; both p<0.001). Postprandial CCK levels were significantly higher in HTG patients. Both bezafibrate and fish oil reduced serum TG levels (-68% and -51% v baseline, respectively; both p<0.01). Fasting CCK levels were not affected whereas CCK induced gall bladder emptying increased during bezafibrate (+29%; p<0.001) and tended to increase on fish oil therapy (+13%; p=0.07). Postprandial gall bladder motility improved on bezafibrate and fish oil (+47 and +25% v baseline, respectively; both p<0.02) at least partly due to increased gall bladder sensitivity to CCK (both p<0.05 v baseline). Bezafibrate but not fish oil increased the molar ratio of cholesterol to bile acids (+40%; p

[Experimental study on effects of herbs for nourishing and smoothing the liver in reversing bile lithogenicity of guinea pig].

OBJECTIVE: To further probe the mechanisms of herbs for nourishing and smoothing the liver in reversing bile lithogenicity of guinea pig. METHODS: Sixty guinea pigs were divided randomly into control group (fed with normal diet, n=20), model group (fed with lithogenic diet, n=20) and treatment group (fed with lithogenic diet plus herbal medicine, n=20). After four-week feeding, the animals were sacrificed and sampled, the rates of gallstone formation in each group were estimated, and the total bile acid (TBA), total bilirubin (TBIL), conjugated bilirubin (CB), unconjugated bilirubin (UCB), and calcium ion in the bile were determined, and the different bilirubins were analyzed by HPLC. RESULTS: (1) The rate of gallstone formation was 5% in normal group, 81.25% in model group and 31.25% in treatment group (P<0.05). (2) The bile TBIL, CB, UCB and Ca(2+) were higher and the bile TBA was lower significantly in model group than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). (3) HPLC analysis revealed that MCB was higher and DCB was lower significantly in model group (P<0.01), and there were no significant differences of UCB and IPA among the three groups. (4) The percentages of MCB and UCB were much higher and the percentage of DCB was remarkably lower in model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Herbs for nourishing and smoothing the liver can significantly reduce the rate of gallstone formation and has effect of reversing lithogenicity of bile in guinea pigs fed with lithogenic diet.

[ELISA kit for detection of biliary vesicular protein and its preliminary clinical application].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid and precise detective method of 33.5 kd vesicular protein and to screen an effective treatment of cholelithiasis. METHODS: Specific antibody of the biliary vesicular protein was obtained by immunizing rabbits and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was developed. The concentrations of 33.5 kd vesicular protein in serum and bile of gallstone patients and control were examined respectively. The effects of Cholagogue Dry Syrup and Eulektrol Capsule on decreasing 33.5 kd vesicular protein were also studied by ELISA kit. RESULTS: One-step ELISA equation was Y=0.035 X (r=0.99). The vesicular protein concentrations in serum and bile of cholesterol gallstone group [(179.8+/-97.9) mg/L and (213.4+/-70.1) mg/L respectively] were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the pigment stone group and control. Data showed that, with 2-week administration, Cholagogue Dry Syrup significantly decreased both biliary and serum 33.5 kd vesicular protein of cholesterol gallstone patients, while Eulekrol Capsule and control groups didn't have the same results. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of 33.5 kd protein are different in cholesterol gallstone patients and healthy groups which might be related to cholesterol nucleation process. Cholagogue Dry Syrup is of cholagogic and litholytic effect by decreasing biliary lithogenesis.